The Slender Man character originally appeared on the Something Awful forums back in 2009. NBC News reports that Eric Knudsen’s monster is often depicted as an impossibly tall man in a black suit with an undistinguishable face. Slender Man has inspired video games, artwork, and short films, as well as a number of stories on the Creepypasta website. In fact, there’s an entire section devoted to the character and his origins.

After the Slender Man stabbing story started making the rounds online, Knudsen eventually issued a statement through his publicist. Although several news outlets have attempted to contact Eric for an interview regarding the crime, he’s refused to sit down with any publications as of this writing.

Knudsen said in a statement:

“I am deeply saddened by the tragedy in Wisconsin and my heart goes out to the families of those affected by this terrible act.”

The Slender Man creator isn’t the only person to issue a statement following the brutal Wisconsin stabbing. The Inquisitr previously reported that a site administrator for Creepypasta also addressed the situation earlier this week. The rep said the site doesn’t “endorse or advocate for the killing, worship, and otherwise replication of rituals of fictional works.”

The admin added:

“First and most importantly, my condolences go out to all the families involved. I cannot even imagine how painful and confusing and awful this has to be for them. I don’t have children, but I can imagine how my mother would feel if something like this happened to me, and it absolutely breaks my heart to even consider her having to go through that. The families of the young ladies who committed this crime also have my heart going out to them – I know this can’t be easy for them as well, and I’m sure they’ll have to deal with mistargeted backlash and anger even while they try to get through such a trying time themselves. So when I say that I extend my deepest sympathies and my prayers to those affected, I hope that you understand that I mean it. I know that words can seem hollow or come off as mere lip-service to the cynical, but it’s the truth.”